Deck 6: Medicine and Ethics

Question 1

With regard to medical ethics, which term deals with the fair distribution of benefits and burdens among individuals or groups in society having legitimate claims on those benefits and burdens?

A) Reparation
B) Veracity
C) Justice
D) Beneficence

Answer 1

Justice

Question 2

One who pleads the cause of another or defends a cause or proposal is a(n)

A) attorney.
B) defender.
C) counselor.
D) advocate.

Answer 2

advocate.

Question 3

The prime objective of the medical profession is to

A) heal patients.
B) render service to humanity.
C) make money.
D) All of the above

Answer 3

render service to humanity.

Question 4

With regard to ethical distress, what stands in the way of making an ethical choice?

A) Morals
B) Ethics
C) Concerns
D) Barriers

Question 5

Refraining from the act of causing harm or committing evil is called

A) nonmaleficence.
B) beneficence.
C) duty.
D) fidelity.

Question 6

Which statement best describes the practice of physicians waiving co-payments required by insurance companies?

A) The practice may violate insurers' policies if done routinely.
B) The practice is the best and most humane way to treat needy patients.
C) The practice is encouraged by insurance companies.
D) The practice encourages patients to take advantage of the medical payment system.

Question 7

An obligation that people have or perceive themselves to have is called a(n)

A) duty.
B) reparation.
C) right.
D) opinion.

Question 8

In the allocation of health resources, the criterion (or criteria) should be which of the following?

A) Likelihood of benefit
B) Duration of benefit
C) Urgency of need
D) All of the above

Question 9

If the medical assistant believes that the employer is participating in unethical behavior, the first course of action should be to

A) be absolutely sure of the facts and circumstances.
B) quit immediately.
C) report the employer to the local medical society and police.
D) do nothing.

Question 10

Which statement best defines the practice known as fee splitting?

A) The unethical practice of basing the physician's fee on the success of the treatment
B) The unethical practice in which physicians are paid for referring patients
C) The lowering of the physician's fee as a way to help poor patients
D) An appropriate method of allowing two physicians to work together in treating a patient

Question 11

Which type of ethical problem is characterized by two or more courses of action, in which, regardless of the course taken, something of value will be lost?

A) Ethical dilemma
B) Ethical distress
C) Locus of authority
D) Distributive justice

Question 12

If the medical assistant suspects that a patient is being abused, the first person to whom the medical assistant should report the abuse is

A) a supervisor.
B) the physician.
C) the police.
D) the closest relative of the person abused.

Question 13

The tendency of something or someone to act in a certain manner under given circumstances is called

A) idealism.
B) introspection.
C) disposition.
D) veracity.

Question 14

Which of the following terms best describes a moral obligation to act for the benefit of others?

A) Nonmaleficence
B) Beneficence
C) Fidelity
D) Veracity
E) Justice

Question 15

The type of ethical problem in which two or more agents think that each knows what is best for the patient but only one agent can prevail is called

A) distributive justice.
B) locus of authority.
C) an ethical dilemma.
D) ethical distress.

Question 16

The earliest written code of ethics was

A) the Oath of Hippocrates.
B) the AMA Code of Ethics.
C) the Code of Hammurabi.
D) Percival's Code of Medical Ethics.

Question 17

The AMA's code of ethics specifically acknowledged which of the following as its foundation for the document?

A) The code of Hammurabi
B) Hippocrates statement of principles
C) Thomas Percivil's code of medical ethics
D) All of the above

Question 18

The first step in the five-step process of ethical decision making is

A) determining the ethical approach to use.
B) gathering relevant information.
C) exploring the practical alternatives.
D) identifying the type of ethical problem.

Question 19

Which word best describes issues that have a moral implication of right and wrong?

A) Ethics
B) Etiquette
C) Precepts
D) Contracts

Question 20

When a person has wronged another person, the person in the wrong has the duty to

A) become a surrogate.
B) express fidelity.
C) express an opinion.
D) make reparations.

Question 21

The criteria to consider when allocating health resources include all of the following except

A) urgency of need.
B) amount of resources required for successful treatment.
C) potential for change in the quality of life.
D) social worth of the individual.

Question 22

Which of the following best describes the example of organ donation and distribution of scarce or costly medications?

A) Ethical distress
B) Ethical dilemma
C) Dilemma of justice
D) Locus of authority

Question 23

__________ are defined as claims that a person or group makes on society.

Question 24

Confidentiality restrictions apply to which of the following?

A) Information in the patient record
B) Anything the medical assistant is told by the patient
C) Minor requesting confidential services
D) All of the above

Question 25

The physician involved in caring for a patient should be an advocate for the family rather than for the patient.

Question 26

A medical assistant is authorized to release which of the following information without the patient's permission?

A) Public domain information
B) Verification that a patient is under the provider's care
C) Patient's condition
D) None of the above

Question 27

Certain kinds of news, such as births and deaths, are considered part of the public domain.

Question 28

Something that is ______________ is oriented or directed toward social needs and problems.

Question 29

According the AMA's code of ethics, which of the following is acceptable?

A) Payment by or to a physician for the referral of a patient
B) Contingency fees
C) Fee based on the value of service provided
D) All of the above

Question 30

Physicians are required to be familiar with the signs of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse.

Question 31

Although attorneys often accept clients on a(n) ______________ fee basis, it is unethical for a physician to do so.

Question 32

Providers must obtain patients' written consent before HIV testing is done. If a healthcare worker has an accidental exposure, such as a needle stick, HIV testing cannot be done on the patient without informed consent.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true; the second is false.
D) The first statement is false; the second is true.

Question 33

____________ waiver of insurance co-payments may violate the policies of some insurers.

Question 34

The realm embracing property rights that belong to the community at large is called the __________________.

Question 35

A devotion to or conformity with the truth is called ____________.

Question 36

The medical assistant will not have to discuss ethical issues with patients.

Question 37

The provision of care to medical colleagues or their families and staff is called ___________________.

Question 38

Which of the following is the most common form of organ donation?

A) Kidney
B) Retina
C) Bone marrow
D) Blood

Question 39

A physician committed to saving life and relieving suffering may sometimes find those two goals ______________.

Question 40

If the medical assistant believes that patient safety is at risk, he or she is legally responsible for reporting provider actions to the local authorities and the state Medical Board. Some states can prosecute individuals who file a false report.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true; the second is false.
D) The first statement is false; the second is true.